Finn Wolfhard Talks the 'Cool Factor' of Fragrance as He Partners with YSL Beauty's MYSLF Scent (Exclusive)

The ‘Stranger Things’ actor opens up to PEOPLE about his new beauty gig, redefining masculinity and the things in life that make him feel like his most authentic self

Most fans know Finn Wolfhard for his breakout role in Netflix's hit sci-fi series Stranger Things, which he landed when he was only 12 years old. He's also crossed over to the box office starring in films like It, Ghostbusters: Afterlife with Bill Murrayand When You Finish Saving the World alongside Julianne Moore.

Now Wolfhard is branching out into the beauty space and expanding his creative portfolio once again as one of the new "voices" behind YSL Beauty’s men's fragrance MYSLF, which comes four years after he was named the face of Saint Laurent in 2019.

The actor, producer and director, now 20, tells PEOPLE exclusively that he feels "honored" to be a part of a project of this caliber.

"I feel very lucky to be a part of this campaign,” he tells PEOPLE from Paris, ahead of an event with the French label celebrating the new launch.

Wolfhard says he's learned to love — and appreciate — fragrance as he's gotten older.

“Growing up, obviously when you're just a guy in high school, there's not really much fragrance going on. There's a lot of AXE body spray,” he remembers of his younger years.

He's now a self-described “subtle wearer” who associates fragrance with his mood and is fond of the age-old less-is-more approach. (Wolfhard later admits that he “weirdly” doesn’t do much when it comes to the rest of his beauty routine but learned some valuable haircare lessons after a bad bleaching incident.)

“What's so great about YSL and the fragrance is that it is breaking that [masculine] mold a little bit. I feel like I’m doing something artistic,” he explains of wearing MYSLF, which is rich with notes of bergamot and an orange blossom.

It says it's also the brand's elegance and simplicity that he identifies with.

“When someone has a subtle fragrance on, it makes me feel almost comfortable, and I think there’s an overall cool factor when someone's wearing a good smell," he adds.

While he's yet to use fragrance as a way to tap into his characters, he says scent definitely transports him to nostalgic moments in his own life.

"If I smell a fragrance or something, it reminds me of a certain time or a certain family member or friend.”

Related: Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk: From 'Immediate' Friends to First-Time Filmmakers (Exclusive)

Like his take on scents, Wolfhard’s personal style has evolved and that's all thanks to Saint Laurent.

He admits that before his first fashion campaign was released he "didn’t really know anything about designer clothes.”

At the time he was 16 and discovering his own personal style. “I think after I did that campaign," he says. "I was like, ‘Oh, okay, I know that I like black pinstripe suits now.’ After that shoot, I was definitely more aware of the history behind the brand and I think it helped me with style.”

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Related: 'Stranger Things' Season 5: Everything to Know

The MYSLF campaign — which also stars Lil Yachty, Noah Beck, Hunter Doohan and Steve Lacy (who join original MYSLF frontman and YSL Beauty global ambassador Austin Butler) — is also centered around empowering others to connect with their most authentic selves and redefining masculinity.

Even with his acting prowess, Wolfhard says that being in front of the lens for a fashion or beauty campaign is out of his comfort zone.

“I think they’re a little vulnerable. It takes me a bit to warm up," he admits. "It's all about shedding your insecurities, being comfortable in your own skin and breaking down the barriers of whatever you think is masculine and [embracing] your own idea of being free on camera.”

Related: Austin Butler Joins Hailey Bieber, Kate Moss and Carla Bruni on Front Row of Saint Laurent Show at Paris Fashion Week

There are two things in particular that make Wolfhard feel like his most authentic self — and it's even better when he can do them both at the same time.

“I feel a lot like myself when I'm around my friends or if I'm directing or producing. A good example is when I was making that film [teen-horror Hell of a Summer which he co-directed and co-wrote with his close friend Billy Bryk]. I probably felt the most myself I've ever felt because I was very comfortable having that leadership role and in my element."

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